NFL Draft buzz continues for Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq

After a string of dominant performances, NFL draft buzz has reached an all-time high for Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Already mocked by many draft analyst to be a first-round pick come the 2026 draft at the beginning of the season, his 14 catches, 168 yards and three touchdowns over the past two games have increased that belief.

According to draft analyst Matt Miller, Sadiq is "locked in, in ink, as the top tight end in this class," he wrote in ESPN's weekly draft prospect roundup.

But Miller didn't stop there, going another step further.

"He might be the best pass catcher, WRs included, in the entire 2026 group," he wrote. "The 6-foot-3, 245-pound tight end moves like a slot receiver with quickness in and out of his breaks, but he also has the strength to box-out defensive backs for the ball and the high-point ability to win over the top."

Sadiq has shown his full display of skills in recent weeks, coming away with a number of phenomenal catches against the Minnesota Golden Gophers before arguably an even better showing against the USC Trojans last week in which he snagged two touchdowns and made big play after big play in a Ducks must-win game.

Miller also offered a player comparison, likening the Oregon standout to Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid. The former Utah Ute was drafted No. 25 overall in 2023 and has had a nice start to his career, catching 146 passes for 1,569 yards and eight touchdowns in 37 games.

"Perhaps he's a replacement for Travis Kelce in Kansas City, thanks to his ability to win on option routes," Miller wrote, exploring Sadiq's NFL fit. "The Eagles could eye him as looming free agent Dallas Goedert's successor with his in-line speed. And the Ravens could fit, since Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are also both free agents after this season."

With his athleticism and feel for the game, it doesn't get much better than imagining Sadiq as a Kelce replacement with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

It's clear that the praise will continue to roll in for Sadiq, as he was also named a finalist for the Mackey Award on Monday (a first in program history), but the task at hand is of significant importance. The Ducks have positioned themselves well to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff, a stage where Sadiq can make even more plays and boost his already impressive draft stock even further.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: ESPN draft analysts rave about Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq